Burial casket



June 29 1926. 1,596,824

J. P. HILL BURIAL GASKET Filed July 2l, 1922 /WW//w/wM// ,Z 1251-2 ,l v. r 70 Patented `.lune 29, 1926.

i ineen seien.

Jemen. n. iranien, .on nennen@ .new Yonn. Y

v BURIAL `Klip-lication.filed July- 21',

This invention-relates toiniproveinents in burial caskets` simi-leit-o that shown in Letten-s Patent e'fli the Unitecl- States Ne; 796,332, which generally comprises a yey*- linclrieall body oi:- glass, -eoyersapplied- 'to k the endl open-ings of the body, and a support for thereinains ofii'fthe deceased Within the boel-y. Y

@ne of the objectsoff'tliis invention is to so eonstruet the cover that the 'Sinne 4is strong and durable and not liable to` 4bey broken W iile bei-ng;1 handled or WhenapplieflI to the body and also perniit oiprotl'ueing aher-.netieal joint between the-cover anti 'body' of the casket which `Will exclude air` and moisture "from lthe interior oli the easllet and thus piioteet its-contents: V

nlnet-lier objeetoi" this invention istoip'ro videV siinpie anni efficient ineens whereby the cover andb'eely -niay fbequickly and securely Connected for vClosing the4 casket :incl still enable the seine vte be neeelil'y opened, if `reqiiiren, iff' post nienteni eznrniinetionefftl'ie remains .is necessary, or -for other pnnposes.

further objeet of this invention provide a suppone for the renieins With-in the ensllzet which is light and inexpensive and W ich is so eoniieetedl with the covers of the -ensiet that no unc-lure stiva-in erf-dis piece-nent Wi-lloeciir ofthe fastening-ineens, whereby the eoveifs aredetaehablyconnected with 'the internelvsnppoift.

in the aoion'fx enying drawings.:

Iti'gure l ation. oi inyiniprovedcasket. li-Figure 2 is a horizontal lnngitudinal section oi t" sainetiilen-on line 2 2, Eig-'(1. =l`ig` nre 3 isa ver-tieni1 'longitudinali seetion taken en line 3-3, Eig. 2. Figure is a `Vertical cr .-tion taliionf on line 444-, Fig. 33. il" 5 .is a 'Eiisgineiitary Vertical 'oilo'ssseee ti en an enlarrgedi seele, tiek-en lon line "tig". 2. Fif ire `6 is a longitudinal of one. of trie Covers ancl associated' 7 sec tion.

corresponding .parts throughout the several' views. I

"in its vgeneifnl organization, lthis casket compiises en enclosing ensing Lira-Lving a bodyainl @ovens appliedL to oppositefends oit' the loo-ely, iv support for the remains Within the body. anali ineens for secnii'ng'thecoyers "to the hotly endl Cle'tachablly connecting- `the saine with A"the supper-t Within t-liebody.

The body l0 is preferably eonstliuetedfoii.

glas-'s .in the i'orni olu cylinder oit' suitable length, dinnieter ancl thickness -ancl having preferably, thoughnot necessarily, an opening afteachA enelthereof.

The endl openings of' the bodyv are closed by fcovers sind as these covers are' preferably identical in construction, the KAiollowinbf des soription of one Will epplyto `bot-lr.

Estel of these -coverseoniprises jan outerY oep-shaped' section of glass `which has en'.

outwardly dishecl crown: ll andan Ward'ly-prejeoting annuler flange l2 Vat the inergin of 'the crown, and inner Capshaped section of sheet metal which liars an ontwe-itlly lishedI crown 'B enel Aan in- Wiireiiy' projecting ange 14 at the margin of the `last nientienecl eno'wn. 'These vtwo cap-shaped sections of the @over are assembled so that the inner sectionis neste. oi"- :telescopecl Within the enter section andthe' oifo'wn and llengeA of the inner sheet nietal seetienengege with the'correspondingI yparte of the outer glisse section. 'These' pants-are preferably securedv togetherY by means -ot eenie'nt: between thein or by othery 'siii-table y* These capsectieiis serel appliiliclA ineens. so that the flanges thereoi eniiiaee'theV peripherzfl surface ofthebofly 'uit' loney `end of the seine and the bere ef -tli'efffl'ange-of fthe metallic oep `seetion engages thel periphery of `the body. By 1.thus providing the glass' section of the @over with an inner lining of sheet finetal, thel glass is strengthened? or reinforced andi prevented iroin fbreeki'ng uncle-r ordinary strains While et lthe saine 'Y tiine retaining the -noneoriiecling properties of the glass.V

'lliey join betweenthe @over ancltlfie body is p're'fei-'ebly lieifnietieaily sesjleel so as 2te ifoiini 'an ein anelf weten tight joint between v the saine entl thus vprotect `the contents of the Gasket against contamination. This is pirefeifetbly accomplished by -niaking the flange of the nietaleeplseotifon soinewhatfnefrrower than that ofthe glassvcep section, so

:that the edge of the inner ca'p- Hangs-:terminet'es short of the edge oft-heouter-cap flange and? iliorins anA annular groove Yor channel l5 hetweenft'h'ese oap sections and they boil-y, After the cover and body have been asseinbleil, this vgroove is lilled vwith a sealing' material? oneenient 16, sueli `for inst-ence as' a mixture o''litherge and `glyeeri'ne, there'- by not only securely fastening `tlie flangeoif the oever totliebocl'y butalso ez-iclucling;`

the body and the covers and still further strengthen or improve the joint between the body and covers, the periphery ofthe body is sanded, roughened, .grooved or corrugated for a suitable distance from each end thereof, as shown at 40 in Figs. 2 and 3, and the inner part of the bore of each of the glass cap sections of the cover is, provided with roughened, sanded, grooved or corrugated surfaces, as shown at 41, in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, whereby an anchorage for the cement is provided on these parts and not only a perfect hermetic seal between the same is produced but a strong connection between the body and covers is attained which positively prevents separation thereof under the heaviest strains likely to be encountered.

In order to support the body internally at each end and reduce the possibility of crushing the same, a supporting ring 17,'prefer-- ably of metal, is provided which engages with the bore of the body at one end opening thereof and secured at its outer edge to. the adjacent part of the inner metal cap section by brazing or otherwise, so that this supporting ring forms in effect part of the cover and is applied simultaneously to the body and' removed therefrom with the cover.

therebyfacilitating the closing and opening of the end of the casket.

Thel remains which are placed in the casket are preferably supported Vin a central position therein by a bed which in its preferred form consists of a shell of light material, such as paper board, which consists of a semicylindrical lower wall 18 curved to correspond to the lower part of the body, and a flat horizontal top wall 19 connecting the upper edges of the bottom wall and arranged substantially diametrically relatively to the body, a filling 20 of light fibrous matcrial, such as saw dust or excelsior arranged in the shell and rendering the same sutliciently solidto support the remains which rest therein within thecaslret, and end walls connecting the ends of the top and bottom and forming part of the shell.

Improved means are provided which mechanically fasten the covers to the body and to e-ach other. and also serve as part of the support for the remains within the casket,

which means, for example, may be constructed as follows:

21, 21 represent two horizontal retaining rods arranged lengthwise over the opposite longitudinal edges ofthe supporting bed. The corresponding pairs of ends of these retaining rods are connected by cross bars 22 of metal each of which is provided midway of its length with a guide passage or opening 23v which` is preferably square in cross section. Mounted on the inner side of each of the covers is a longitudinal coupling rod or shank 24 which has its inner part passing `through the opening 23 in the adjacent cross bar 22 and is of corresponding square form in cross section, so that this vrod can only slide lengthwise in the cross bar but lis incapable of turning therein.

At its outer endthis coupling rod is prof to be engaged by a ratchet detent mountedy on the adjacentpartvof therespective cross bar so as to permit the coupling rodto be moved inwardly but not outwardly. In its preferred form, this detent consists of a Vratchet dog 27which is guided iny a casing 28 on the inner side of the adjacent cross bar, sol that it is capable of sliding crosswise and which is provided at'its front end with an abrupt inner face and an inclined outer face which are yieldingly held in the path of the ratchet teeth by a spring interposed between the rear end of thel dog and `its casing.

Y The bed maybe connected with the longitudinal retaining rods in any suitable manner but preferably by means which permit of depressing the bed under the weight of the remains resting thereon and thus enable the cross bars 22 to be always arranged in such a position kthat the coupling rods 2li may be moved lengthwise into engagement with the same upon slipping the covers onto the ends of the body of the casket. For this purpose, a metal band 29 is passed around the underside of the lower bed wall at eachL end thereof and provided at opposite ends with twol upright hangers or arms 30 which lare secured to the adjacent ends of the retaining rod. The lower part of this band is held inY place on the lower bed wall by a covering 31 of paper or other heat insulating material which is cemented thereto, which paper also serves to keep the metal band out of contact with the glass body of the caslret and thus avoids cracking the latter in the event of any difference in temperature between these parts or other conditions which might produce this objectionable result.l The arms or hangers 30 are preferably corrugated horizontally, so that these hangers can stretch more or less and permit the bed to settle the requisite extent under the load of the remains resting therein and still permit the cross bars 22 to extend horizontally and diamet- Vrically across the body and: in V.position to.

VThe cover is new applied to. each end of the body by moving the cover longitudinally inward on `the body, Yso that the flanges of its. outer and inner cap sectionsA slip over the .periphery oi the body and the support ing ring slips intoengagement with the borel thereoiLx and. the couplingrod passes inwardly through the guide opening .in the cross bar at fthe respective end ofthe casket. During this operation, the teeth of the coupling rod trip past the dog oi the fastening or .locking mechanism and when the cover has been pushed inwardly as far as possiV le, the` dog engages` its abrupt side with the corresponding side of the respective ratchet tooth on the coupling rod and' locks thecover against outward movement under a longitudinal pull. hit-er the covers have been thus locked .upon the ends et the body, anV air and water tight joint is produced `between the same by filling the joists between the covers and the body with a suitable cement, whereby the contents of Vthe casket are effectively protected against the contaminating influences in the outer at- Amospl'iere.

li` for any reason it is necessary to gain access to the interior of' the casket after the covers have been fastened thereto, this can be done by iirst removing the cement between the covers -and the body and then rotating each cover back-wardly so as to unscrev the socket of the same Jirom the threaded outer end lof the respective coupling rod, thereby Vexposing the interior oi" the casket and permitting removal of its contents. Thereafter, the coupling rods maybe pushed to their full extent inwardly through ythe cross bars and again screwedon the sockets oi the covers preparatory to again applying the covers to the body.

Removal oi the covers is ordinarily not necessary, one oithe few instances when this would be required being the necessity of' rendjusting the remains in the casket in the event that the same has become displaced during shipment :trom one place to another. Vhen such displacement is likely to occur, the covers. are preferably only sealed temporarily by an easily removable cement at the place from which the remains are shipped, so that the casket can be readily opened at its destination for readjusting" the remains and `then permanently sealed Vwith strong cement preparatory to interment. Y

Y In actual use, this transparent containery or enclosure for the remains is placed withmaterial having the general Jiiorm ot caslets now commonly used'.

The various improved features enumerated herein render a casketot this type more durable and ensure greater safety for the remains deposited therein, they permit of conveniently and reliably closing the casketv preparatory to` interment" or other-- Wise disposing of the same, they permit of thoroughly sealing the casketv while at the '70 in aseparate cabinet of wood, metal orf-other same time permitting access thereto, if re-Y i quired, and the same can be readily manipu` lated and manufactured economically'.

I claim as my invention:

l.. Acasket comprisingia cylindrical body having an end opening, a support withinthe body, a cover extending across said opening, anda fastening adapted to be ar l ranged withinthe 'body and `to connect said cover and support by moving said cover lengthwise on said body. Y

2. Acasket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, a lsupport withinthe body, a cover extending Vacross said opening, and a fastening adaptedv to -be Varranged within the body and -to connect said cover and support '-'bymoving said cover lengthwise on saidf bodyV and to disconnect said cover and support by a relative ,rotary movement of said cover and body.

3. A casket comprising a lcylindrical Abody Y having an- `end opening, a support witl'iin thebody, a coverV extending across said4 opening, and a fastening adaptedI towbe arranged wi-thin the body and tofconnect saidV ranged within the bodyl and to connect said cover and support and comprising a bar arranged on said support Vand having a passage, a coupling rod connected lat its outer end with said cover and having its inner end passing through said passage, andA a ratchet locking device interposed between said' bar and rod' and comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth arranged in av longitudinal row on one side oi 'said rod, and a spring pressed dog mounted on said bar and engaging said teeth.

5. A casket comprising a cylindrical body having anend -opening,;a support within the body, a cover extending across said opening, and a fastening adapted to connect said cover andsupport and comprising a coupling rod having a screw `connected at its outer end with said cover, and a ratchet locking device connecting the inner end of vsaid rod with said support.'

46. Aicasket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, a support within the body, a cover extending across said opening, and a fastening adapted to connect said cover and support and comprising an internally screw threaded Socket arranged on the inner side of said cover,-a coupling rod having an externally threaded louter end which engages with ysaid threaded socket, and 'a ratchet locking device ycon-y necting the inner end of said rod with said support.

7 A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a cover mounted on the end of the body and extending across said opening thereof and comprising an outer glass section, and a lining of metal on the inner side of the glass section. Y

S. A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a cover mounted on the end of the body and extending across said opening Lthereof and comprising an outer cap-shaped glass section, and an inner cap-shaped metal section secured to the inner side of said outer section.

9. A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a cover mounted on the end of the body and extending across said opening thereof and comprising an outer cap-shaped glass section, and an inner cap-shaped metal section secured to the vinner side of said outer section, the flanges of said cap sections embracing said body.

l0. A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a cover mounted on the end of the body and extending across said opening thereof and coinprising Van outer cap-shaped glass section, and an inner cap-shaped metal section secured to the inner side of said outer section, the flanges of said cap sections embracing said body yand the flange of the metal cap section engaging its bore with the periphery of saidA body.

11. A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a cover mounted on the end of the body and extending across'said opening thereof and comprising an outer cap-shaped glass .section and an inner cap-shaped metal section secured to the inner side of said outer section, the flanges of said cap sections embracing Said body and the flange of the metaly cap section engaging its bore with. the periphery of said body, and a metal ring arranged on the inner cap section and engaging with thegbore of said body.

121A casket comprising a cylindrical body having an end opening, and a coverl mounted on the end of the body and extending across said opening thereof and having an annular flange the outer'part of whose bore f is of sinall diameter and lits around the body while the inner part of its bore is of klarger diameter and forms an annular groove between the cover and the eX- tion, and an inner cap-shaped metal sectionk securedv to the inner side of said outer sec'- tion, theflanges of said cap sections ein-` bracing said body and the flange of the metal cap section engaging its bore with the perip iery of said body and terminating short of the edge of the flange of the glass cap-section forming an annular groove between said flanges and the periphery of said body, and a filling of sealing material arranged in said groove.

14. AA casket comprising acylindrical body, and ai support arranged within the body :and'coinprising two longitudinal retaining rodsarranged on horizontally op-` posits sides of the body, av bed arranged on the lower part of the body, and hangers connecting said bed with l.said rods and each constructed of a strip of corrugated metal.

15. A casket comprising a cylindrical body, and a support arranged within the body and comprising twolongitudinal re-` taining rods arranged on horizontally opposite sic es of the body, a bed arranged on the lower part ofthe body, a metal band passing around the underside of said bed and having its ends .corrugated and extending upwardly to form hangers which are secured tosaid rods. n

16. A casket comprising a cylindrical body, and a support ar anged within the body and comprising two longitudinal retaining rods arranged on horizontally opposite sides of the' body, a bed arranged on the lower part of the body, a metal band passing around the underside of said bed and having its ends extending upwardly t0 form hangers which are secured to said rods, and a heat insulating strip extending over that part of the band on the underside of'4 to the latter.

the bed and secured JULIAN P. HILL. 

